PRESIDENTS
We watched the speech today. My class and my neighbors class watched it this morning. We were supposed to watch it yesterday with the rest of the world, but due to our schedule and the fact that the White House didn't post the link right away, we couldn't. The first thing that the kids did, was clap! How cute is that? They were really restless during the whole thing. Jill and I were thinking that maybe they were too young to sit and listen, but turns out they weren't. When we asked them what President Obama had told them to do, they were able to tell us! YEAH! They really aren't hard of hearing. When we asked them to set goals, "A" told me that his goal was to sweep today! Straight from the mouths of babes :)
PICTURES
So last year, picture day was like pulling teeth. Trying to get the 5th/6th graders to stand still wasn't the problem, getting them to smile and not be "too cool" was! This year, I almost peed my pants from laughing so hard! Our picture time was set for 10:39, but I knew it would take longer then that to get them all the way to the cafe. So at 10:25 we started to get lined up (by height).
I had skipped on recess (more on that later) and illustrated our pages for our book. Harmless, right? WRONG! "J" proceeded to be covered in marker as we noticed just before his individual picture. So my intern, Meghan, took him to the restroom for him to clean up. After a few minutes he walked out of the restroom, soaking wet with bits of wet toilet paper stuck to his hands and face. So she had to take him to the copy room, get paper towels, help clean him up and TRY to dry his hair. Can you say retake?
Meanwhile, we are standing (very patiently) for our turn and watching Mrs. M's K/1 class trying to get their group photo taken. Every time the photographer said "say ice cream" one little boy would jump up and down, with a huge smile on his face and scream it! The photographer would say, "lets try it again and this time just say the word but stand still. Ready, say, candy." The entire class would say "CANDY" with the one little guy jumping up and down. After 10, very hysterical takes, it was our turn.
On our way into the cafe for pictures I asked the kids to show me their best smiles. "L" showed me his smile which was just a grin with no teeth showing. Danielle then asked him "L, where's your teeth?" To which he turned around and pointed to his teeth! When it was his turn to take his picture, we I told the photographer "don't ask him where his teeth are."
"G" had a rough time with this glasses today. Every picture that they took, he had a reflection from his glasses. We (photographer, myself and volunteers) tried relentlessly to get him to move his chin..."move your down" and he bent his knees and moved his whole body. "Tilt your head and look at me" and he stretched his eyes to keep them looking forward. After trying everything we could think of, we took of the glasses. We'll see what happens!
Finally, after 45 minutes, we made it back to our room. It was finally time for recess. "I" told me, "Mommy says I can't play because this is a new dress." I was pretty sure that the dress rule was for before pictures and I told her "as long as your not rolling in the sand I think you'll be OK!" Off she went!
We survived picture day!
TEETH
We had lots of firsts today..."A" lost not 1, but 2 teeth today! He was very nervous about them falling out, and on the way to lunch he asked me how he was going to chew, but he was excited!
EGGS
My parakeet, that I've had for 7 years, laid an egg today! My kiddo's had been asking me why Juliet looked so fat and I just kept telling them that she was fat and ate too much. Well today, she laid an egg. At least I think it was that one. Honestly, I can't tell the 2 apart, but during Workshop today, 2 little girls started screaming at me, "an egg, an egg, Juliet laid an egg!" I told them to get back to work and didn't think anything of it. But after they insisted that I come and look I was very surprised to see that they actually did lay an egg! I don't know if it will hatch, but the kids are excited to say the least. I'll keep you posted!
So that's what's happening in my world. In fact that is just one day! I love my kids, they make life interesting and certainly entertaining.
Until next time...
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Nose Pickers, Tattle Tales and SMARTBoards
Nose Pickers
I knew that teaching little ones would mean more germs, more gooey noses, more coughs and sneezes; I knew it was coming, but I still wasn't prepared for this...
Student 1: "I can touch my brain!"
Student 2: "no way"
Student 1: sticks his finger up his nose, pulls it out with "goo" on it, and says "see, this is my brain"
Student 2: "Cool!!"
Gotta love the little ones!!
Tattle Tales
He said, she said, I said stop the tattle tales! Wow, I forgot how badly they like to get each other in trouble. From the minor to the major and everywhere in between, I'm more of a referee then a teacher. I've started asking them "are you tattling?" and that seems to stop them until the next incident occurs. It's taken me by surprise how much attitude some of these 6-8 year olds have. It's like they've never been told they can't do something before! That has been the biggest challenge so far, wish me luck.
SMARTBoards
It's in! It's finally installed and working! I love it, it has been so much fun playing with it the past few days. The kids have loved it too. I've taught just about every lesson using the SB. It's completely interactive and if you don't know what I'm talking about, you should look it up online and explore it. It's keeping the kids attention for longer too which is very nice and they all get to be involved in the lessons.
Life in GLEAM 1 is fun (they keep me laughing), tiring (bed at 7:30?!), loving (constant hugs!), dirty (can you touch your brain?) but most of all great!
I knew that teaching little ones would mean more germs, more gooey noses, more coughs and sneezes; I knew it was coming, but I still wasn't prepared for this...
Student 1: "I can touch my brain!"
Student 2: "no way"
Student 1: sticks his finger up his nose, pulls it out with "goo" on it, and says "see, this is my brain"
Student 2: "Cool!!"
Gotta love the little ones!!
Tattle Tales
He said, she said, I said stop the tattle tales! Wow, I forgot how badly they like to get each other in trouble. From the minor to the major and everywhere in between, I'm more of a referee then a teacher. I've started asking them "are you tattling?" and that seems to stop them until the next incident occurs. It's taken me by surprise how much attitude some of these 6-8 year olds have. It's like they've never been told they can't do something before! That has been the biggest challenge so far, wish me luck.
SMARTBoards
It's in! It's finally installed and working! I love it, it has been so much fun playing with it the past few days. The kids have loved it too. I've taught just about every lesson using the SB. It's completely interactive and if you don't know what I'm talking about, you should look it up online and explore it. It's keeping the kids attention for longer too which is very nice and they all get to be involved in the lessons.
Life in GLEAM 1 is fun (they keep me laughing), tiring (bed at 7:30?!), loving (constant hugs!), dirty (can you touch your brain?) but most of all great!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Coming Together
It's all beginning to come together. After 2 weeks of trials and tribulations, I'm figuring it out and getting it done. What I thought would be hard is turning out to be not so difficult.
I've said, since I found out that I was switching grades, that my goal is to create, independent learners, active listeners and students that are willing to TRY! This is my goal because of my experience in 5/6. Nothing is more frustrating then to have a group of 12 and 13 year olds that can't think for themselves. If I can help stop that now, I will!
The kids true personalities are shining now. The honeymoon is over for sure! But, the behavior problems, don't really seem like problems compared to the 5th and 6th graders. Talking, talking and more talking, is the biggest issue right now. I'm working on coming up with a plan, but the kids have so much to say and I'm torn between letting them speak and making them wait. But, when I'm teaching a lesson or reading out loud, it can be VERY distracting.
Planning for a day with the little ones isn't as hard as I anticipated. In fact, I hesitate to say that it's easier. They are excited to do just about anything, which makes planning fun and less stressful. The hard part is the upfront work. I can't just "wing it" anymore.
Little by little, it's coming together. My fellow 1/2 friends are fantastic resources and it's nice to have friends like that to work with. The parents in my class are great, and very helpful. Most importantly, the students love me, all 21 of them!
In fact, I was asked by a parent at open house if I have any kids and my response was "Yes! 21 of them in fact!" I love my job :)
I've said, since I found out that I was switching grades, that my goal is to create, independent learners, active listeners and students that are willing to TRY! This is my goal because of my experience in 5/6. Nothing is more frustrating then to have a group of 12 and 13 year olds that can't think for themselves. If I can help stop that now, I will!
The kids true personalities are shining now. The honeymoon is over for sure! But, the behavior problems, don't really seem like problems compared to the 5th and 6th graders. Talking, talking and more talking, is the biggest issue right now. I'm working on coming up with a plan, but the kids have so much to say and I'm torn between letting them speak and making them wait. But, when I'm teaching a lesson or reading out loud, it can be VERY distracting.
Planning for a day with the little ones isn't as hard as I anticipated. In fact, I hesitate to say that it's easier. They are excited to do just about anything, which makes planning fun and less stressful. The hard part is the upfront work. I can't just "wing it" anymore.
Little by little, it's coming together. My fellow 1/2 friends are fantastic resources and it's nice to have friends like that to work with. The parents in my class are great, and very helpful. Most importantly, the students love me, all 21 of them!
In fact, I was asked by a parent at open house if I have any kids and my response was "Yes! 21 of them in fact!" I love my job :)
Saturday, August 15, 2009
I Love My Little People!
I made it! One whole week with 1st and 2nd graders. After Monday I wasn't sure I would make it through Tuesday, let alone a full week but I did, and it was great!
Not only have they made me laugh every single day (I had one student tell me he was Michael Jackson's grandson and then show me the moon walk and crotch grab), they have taught me to be patient (it takes lots of patience to hear your name called by 20 students at the same time), to love (spontaneous hugs are the best) and to play (who doesn't like a good game of "Simon Says"). It certainly hasn't been easy, it took until the end of the week for me to take my 5/6 "goggles" off and put my 1/2 "goggles" on, but I'm getting it, little by little.
I have an amazing support system at school. Every teacher has checked in on me, offered me bits of advice, and even a shoulder to cry on. My administration team has been wonderful and patient as I try to maneuver my way into 1/2 territory and the parents have been very kind and understanding.
I may not have it down just yet, but I can say that after a week of ups and downs, I am ready for the challenges ahead. Like my great friend Elizabeth said in the copy room yesterday we "have the road map, now we have to get in the car and drive!" And after some reflection this week, I can honestly say that I love my little people!
Until next time...
Not only have they made me laugh every single day (I had one student tell me he was Michael Jackson's grandson and then show me the moon walk and crotch grab), they have taught me to be patient (it takes lots of patience to hear your name called by 20 students at the same time), to love (spontaneous hugs are the best) and to play (who doesn't like a good game of "Simon Says"). It certainly hasn't been easy, it took until the end of the week for me to take my 5/6 "goggles" off and put my 1/2 "goggles" on, but I'm getting it, little by little.
I have an amazing support system at school. Every teacher has checked in on me, offered me bits of advice, and even a shoulder to cry on. My administration team has been wonderful and patient as I try to maneuver my way into 1/2 territory and the parents have been very kind and understanding.
I may not have it down just yet, but I can say that after a week of ups and downs, I am ready for the challenges ahead. Like my great friend Elizabeth said in the copy room yesterday we "have the road map, now we have to get in the car and drive!" And after some reflection this week, I can honestly say that I love my little people!
Until next time...
Monday, August 10, 2009
What a day!
Well, I survived. I don't know how I survived, but I'm still standing and I'm going back tomorrow!
The day started off great. I was up nice and early, picked up my friend and got to school in enough time to get everything done that I planned to get done. Then the bell rang...
I was not prepared for the rush of parents, kids and questions that came on. There was also a parent volunteer trying to wrangle parents about how their child was getting home. So I survived the first 10 minutes and then realized that my TV wasn't plugged in and we couldn't see announcements. Oh well, no biggie. That was just the beginning, I used the word "decipher" with a room full of 1st/2nd graders! Seriously?? They all looked at me like I had 4 heads. My kids will have a great vocabulary, that's for sure!
With all the stress that I felt, as I look back at the day, there were certainly a lot of positives! They love our classroom pets (2 birds and a turtle). They are super excited about our "Scoop Up A Good Book" reading program (it's amazing what ice cream can make a child do!). Everyone was able to walk quietly in the hall to the restroom, and we got compliments. Our People Hunt game was also a huge success, they loved it! Not to mention, some of my kiddo's from last year, came back to visit me (during their homeroom, but at least they came, LOL!)
So looking back, I can laugh at what went wrong and learn from it, and I know that it will get easier. Also, thank you so much to all of my ANLC family for the support and kind words, as well as a shoulder to lean on.
Day two...bring it on!
The day started off great. I was up nice and early, picked up my friend and got to school in enough time to get everything done that I planned to get done. Then the bell rang...
I was not prepared for the rush of parents, kids and questions that came on. There was also a parent volunteer trying to wrangle parents about how their child was getting home. So I survived the first 10 minutes and then realized that my TV wasn't plugged in and we couldn't see announcements. Oh well, no biggie. That was just the beginning, I used the word "decipher" with a room full of 1st/2nd graders! Seriously?? They all looked at me like I had 4 heads. My kids will have a great vocabulary, that's for sure!
With all the stress that I felt, as I look back at the day, there were certainly a lot of positives! They love our classroom pets (2 birds and a turtle). They are super excited about our "Scoop Up A Good Book" reading program (it's amazing what ice cream can make a child do!). Everyone was able to walk quietly in the hall to the restroom, and we got compliments. Our People Hunt game was also a huge success, they loved it! Not to mention, some of my kiddo's from last year, came back to visit me (during their homeroom, but at least they came, LOL!)
So looking back, I can laugh at what went wrong and learn from it, and I know that it will get easier. Also, thank you so much to all of my ANLC family for the support and kind words, as well as a shoulder to lean on.
Day two...bring it on!
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